#Associations

2020-01-17

ITME Africa 2020: Great expectations for the Italian textile machinery

An Italian textile machinery delegation will be on hand at the upcoming ITME Africa, to be held in Addis Ababa from 14 February to 16 February 2020.

Ethiopia is an emerging production hub for the global textile and garments industry. Cheap labour costs, free trade agreements with major Western markets and a constantly growing economy have made this Sub-Saharan African Country an important destination for the manufacturing of garments by major fashion brands.

Given the necessary upgrade in technology required, the demand for textile machinery is growing consequently, supported by incentive schemes provided by the local authorities to support and develop Ethiopian textile sector.

Italian textile machinery exports to Ethiopia? (million euro) Source: ACIMIT

Thus, the first edition of ITME Africa trade fair will feature 22 Italian textile machinery manufacturers at the Italian pavilion organized by the Italian Trade Agency. Among these are the following ACIMIT associated members: Arioli, Biancalani, Bianco, Bonino, Carù, Corino, Erhardt-Leimer, Fadis, Ferraro, Flainox, Lafer, Loptex, Mariplast, Mcs, Mesdan, Pugi, Ratti, Reggiani, Roj, Santoni, Savio.

ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi is confident in this first edition of ITME Africa, “Our exports to Ethiopia have grown significantly over the past five years, although their overall value remains quite modest (2.8 million euros in 2018).” In 2019 January-July period Italian exports towards Ethiopian market reached a value of 3.3 million euros. Zucchi continues: “The quality of our machine technology is superior to that of our competitors currently operating in this market. Our focus is on getting potential buyers to get to know and appreciate the quality of our technology, through opportunities such as ITME Africa, as well as through the institutional missions organized in recent years, thanks to the support of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and Italian Trade Agency.” ITME Africa will also give Italian exhibitors the opportunity to meet textile companies from Kenya and Tanzania, Countries object of a recent institutional mission.

Italian textile machinery exports to Ethiopia by categories (jan-july 2019) Source: ACIMIT

Textile machinery: the upcoming Colombiatex 2026 speaks Italian

Numerous Italian textile machinery companies will be attending the upcoming Colombiatex, the premier trade fair for the Colombian textile supply chain, held in Medellin from January 27 to 29, 2026. This year’s edition further confirms the strong bond between local textile manufacturers and Italian technology providers.

Italian textile machinery: Orders index declines in 2025 third quarter

In the third quarter of 2025, the orders index for textile machinery – compiled by ACIMIT’s Economics Department (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) – recorded a 16% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. In absolute terms, the index stood at 41.8 points (base year 2021 = 100).

The Italian Textile Machinery industry on display at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025

100 Italian companies will exhibit at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025, taking place from October 28 to 31. With an area of around 4,000 square meters, Italy ranks among the top exhibiting Countries, as in previous editions. 53 Italian exhibitors will show their innovations within the National Sector Groups, organized by ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and Italian Trade Agency.

Italian Textile Machinery: In Q2 2025 signs of recovery in the domestic market

In the second quarter of 2025, the index of orders for textile machinery, compiled by the Economics Department of ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, showed a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (-1%). In absolute terms, the index stood at 47.1 points (base year 2021=100).

European business associations celebrate the signature of the EU-Mercosur FTA

The 17th January marks a historic milestone with the signing of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, creating the biggest trading block in the world. European business – represented by more than 28 associations across a wide range of sectors – warmly welcomes this signature. It sends a strong and timely signal that the EU remains open and is committed to rules-based global trade. In a time of global uncertainty, this agreement is a key growth booster.

Latest news from Bremen: ICAC Plenary Meeting to take place right before the International Cotton Conference

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will hold its 83rd Plenary Meeting on 23–24 March 2026 at the Parliament building in Bremen. The meeting will take place immediately ahead of the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen (25–27 March 2026) and marks a historic premiere: for the first time, the ICAC Plenary will be hosted in close cooperation with the Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. (FIBRE).

VIATT 2026 announces inaugural lifestyle Trend Forum: Unified vision for S/S 2027 across fashion, home, and tech

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to host its first Trend Forum, offering a forward-looking, industry-wide perspective for Spring / Summer 2027. With the show scheduled from 26 – 28 February 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), VIATT’s trend curators – NellyRodi™ Agency and MUSEATIVE – will provide comprehensive insights across the interconnected realms of Apparel Fabrics & Fashion, Home & Contract Textiles, and Technical Textiles & Technologies.

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

BTMA member Alchemie Technology, the pioneer of precision jet dyeing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, is partnering with Acatel, the Portuguese leader in sustainable textile manufacturing. The two companies will work together to validate and optimise Alchemie’s Endeavour system for knitted cellulosic fabrics.